Staying safe on Discord is crucial, especially with the platform’s wide reach and the large number of users it hosts. Whether you’re using Discord for gaming, socializing, or professional purposes, protecting your privacy and security should always be a priority. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to protect yourself on Discord and keep your personal information secure.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

One of the most fundamental ways to protect your Discord account is to use a strong, unique password.

Tips for Strong Passwords:

• Avoid using common phrases or easy-to-guess combinations like “123456” or your username.
• Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create a complex password.
• Consider using a password manager to store and generate strong passwords, so you don’t need to remember them all.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

To add an extra layer of security, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This requires you to verify your identity through a secondary method, like an authentication app or text message, each time you log in.

How to enable 2FA:

1. Go to User Settings (the gear icon next to your username).
2. Under My Account, click on Enable Two-Factor Auth.
3. Follow the prompts to link your account with an authentication app (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy) or receive a code via text message.

---

2. Manage Your Privacy Settings

Discord provides a range of privacy settings to control who can contact you, who can see your activity, and who can add you as a friend. You should customize these settings to limit exposure to people you don’t know.

Key Privacy Settings to Adjust:

1. Who Can Add You as a Friend:
   • Go to User Settings > Privacy & Safety.
   • Under Who Can Add You as a Friend, set it to Friends of Friends or Server Members depending on your preference.
2. Direct Messages:
   • In the same menu, under Direct Messages, toggle off the option Allow Direct Messages from Server Members to prevent people from messaging you directly in servers you’re part of.
3. Visibility of Your Activity:
   • You can control who can see your online activity by adjusting the Activity Settings in your profile. You can choose to hide your activity from everyone or only from certain people.
4. Public Profile:
   • You can disable certain profile fields like your custom status, game activity, and other details that could be viewed by people who aren’t friends.

---

3. Be Careful with Personal Information

Be cautious when sharing personal information such as your full name, address, phone number, or other private details, especially in public servers.

Best Practices:

• Avoid posting sensitive information: Keep private details to yourself, and be wary of sharing personal stories or information that could compromise your safety.
• Think before you share: Even if you trust someone, be mindful of what information you share, as it could be misused or shared with others unintentionally.

---

4. Monitor Who You Interact With

You may not always be able to control who joins your server or contacts you, but you can manage your interactions with others carefully.

Friend Requests and Server Invites:

• Only accept friend requests from people you know or trust. Scammers may attempt to send you friend requests in order to gain access to your account or personal information.
• Be cautious with server invites. Joining random public servers can expose you to unwanted behavior or phishing attempts. Only join servers from trusted sources or verified communities.

Report Suspicious Behavior:

If someone is harassing you, sending inappropriate messages, or behaving suspiciously, report them to Discord immediately. You can report messages by right-clicking on the message and selecting the Report option.

---

5. Beware of Phishing Attempts

Phishing is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to gain access to your personal information by pretending to be someone else or tricking you into clicking malicious links.

How to Spot Phishing:

• Watch out for links: Be cautious of suspicious links sent by people you don’t know. Never click on links that seem untrustworthy, especially those asking you to log in to Discord or provide personal information.
• Check the URL: Ensure that the link you’re being asked to click on leads to an official Discord website (discord.com). Phishing links may look similar but will often have subtle differences in spelling or domain name.
• Requests for personal information: Never share your password, 2FA codes, or other personal details in messages from unknown or suspicious sources.

---

6. Limit Server and Channel Permissions

As a server owner or admin, you have the ability to control who can access certain channels and what they can do within your server. Proper permissions can help prevent abuse or unwanted access.

How to Set Server Permissions:

• Create roles and assign them to members with specific permissions (e.g., Moderator, Member, Admin). This lets you control who can post content, manage channels, or even ban users.
• Restrict certain channels: Limit access to sensitive or private channels by creating specific roles or inviting only trusted members.

Tips for Safe Server Management:

• Use “Verification Levels”: Set up a verification level that requires new members to verify their email or phone number before they can fully engage in the server.
• Enable Slow Mode in High-Traffic Channels: If you’re managing a large server, using slow mode in busy channels can help prevent spamming and give moderators time to respond to inappropriate content.

---

7. Be Wary of Bots and Third-Party Apps

Bots and third-party apps can add great functionality to your server, but they can also pose security risks if not properly managed.

Best Practices for Bot Security:

• Only use trusted bots: Make sure that any bots you invite to your server come from official sources or trusted communities.
• Limit bot permissions: Only give bots the permissions they need to function. Bots should not have access to sensitive server settings unless absolutely necessary.
• Monitor bot activity: Regularly review the actions of bots to ensure they are not being misused by malicious actors.

Third-Party Integrations:

• Be cautious about connecting third-party apps to your Discord account. Some applications may request unnecessary permissions or could compromise your account’s security.

---

8. Regularly Review and Update Your Security Settings

It’s important to keep your security settings up to date to ensure your account stays protected.

Review Settings Regularly:

• Periodically check your privacy settings and permissions to ensure they are still appropriate.
• Regularly update your password and ensure 2FA is enabled.
• Keep an eye on server roles and permissions, particularly if you have admins or other users managing your server.

---

9. Use Safe Voice and Video Call Practices

While Discord’s voice and video call features are great for communication, they can also pose privacy risks if not properly managed.

Best Practices for Voice and Video Calls:

• Avoid sharing sensitive information in voice or video calls, especially if you’re speaking with people you don’t know well.
• Mute yourself when not speaking: This helps to prevent accidental sharing of background noise, private conversations, or other sensitive information.
• Use private channels for sensitive discussions: If you’re planning to have a sensitive conversation, use private channels or DMs rather than public voice channels.

---

10. Know How to Recover Your Account

If your account is compromised, it’s important to know how to recover it as quickly as possible.

Steps to Recover Your Discord Account:

• Reset your password: If you believe your account has been hacked, reset your password immediately. You can do this by clicking on Forgot your password? on the login screen.
• Revoke active sessions: Under User Settings > Security, you can view and revoke any active sessions to ensure unauthorized users no longer have access to your account.
• Contact Discord Support: If you are unable to recover your account on your own, reach out to Discord support for help. They can assist with account recovery if you have enabled 2FA.

---

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant and Safe on Discord

While Discord offers a range of tools to protect your privacy and security, the responsibility ultimately lies with you as the user. By using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, setting strict privacy and security settings, and staying vigilant for phishing and suspicious activity, you can enjoy a safe and secure Discord experience.

Always stay cautious, respect others’ privacy, and use common sense when interacting with people online. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your time on Discord remains fun, secure, and free from unwanted issues.